The countdown to the end of regular support for Windows 10 is well underway, with just six months remaining. As Microsoft prepares for this transition, the operating system is witnessing a notable decline in market share. Recent data from Statcounter reveals that Windows 10’s user base has diminished significantly, while Windows 11 is experiencing a surge in adoption.
As of March 2025, Windows 10 commands a market share of 54.23% among all Windows computers globally, reflecting a decrease of 4.43 percentage points within a single month. In contrast, Windows 11 has seen a remarkable increase of 4.53 percentage points, elevating its market share to 42.66%, marking a new peak for the newer operating system.
Faster adoption of Windows 11 due to approaching end date
The rapid ascent of Windows 11 appears to be closely tied to the impending end of Windows 10’s support. Over the past year, Microsoft has made concerted efforts to encourage users to transition to the latest operating system. With regular support for Windows 10 set to conclude on October 14, 2025, only those opting for the Extended Security Updates program will continue to receive security updates.
Year-on-year comparisons highlight the shift: Windows 11 has surged by 15.98 percentage points since March 2024, when its market share was at 26.68%. Conversely, Windows 10 has seen a decline of 14.84 percentage points from its previous share of 69.07% in March 2024, indicating a growing momentum in user migration.
Challenges in the transition to Windows 11
Despite the swift growth of Windows 11, Microsoft faces hurdles in convincing the remaining Windows 10 users to make the switch. A segment of users is unable to upgrade due to hardware limitations, particularly the requirement for TPM 2.0. Additionally, some users express reservations about the design and functionality changes introduced in Windows 11.
To facilitate this transition, Microsoft has introduced the Extended Security Update program for regular consumers, a service previously exclusive to business users. This program allows Windows 10 users to receive an additional year of security updates for €30. However, many consumers may opt for the free upgrade instead. Businesses, on the other hand, are likely to find the costs of remaining on Windows 10 prohibitive, as prices for the Extended Security Updates will double annually.
Other Windows versions remain stable
While the dynamics between Windows 10 and 11 are shifting, other versions of Windows maintain a relatively stable presence in the market. Windows 7 holds a share of 2.22%, reflecting a slight decline of 0.08 percentage points. Windows XP remains at 0.33%, with a modest increase of 0.04 percentage points, while Windows 8.1 stands at 0.28%, down by 0.02 percentage points.
Interestingly, despite the cessation of official support for Windows 7 and 8.1, a small yet resilient group of users continues to utilize these older operating systems. It is likely that even after October 2025, a significant number of Windows 10 users will persist, navigating the landscape without the safety net of official support.
